1 In the 16th century, Europe was becoming organized into countries as we know them today. Now, armies were larger, and the stakes were higher as countries fought each other for power and territory. A few of the large, seafaring countries fought for even larger prizes. England and Spain were two of these large countries. Both had ambitions to extend their power beyond their own borders.2 At one time, Spain and England had been on friendly terms. Trade had been established between the two countries. King Philip II of Spain and Queen Elizabeth I of England had worked together at times. However, conflicting goals soon threatened any alliance between the two rulers.3 Some of the problems were commercial. English privateers had attacked Spanish merchant ships and even Spanish colonies in America. These attacks fueled Spanish anger at the English.4 Some of the differences were religious. Spain had been trying to put down an uprising by Protestants in the Netherlands. England, under the Protestant Queen Elizabeth, supported the rebels. This made Spain angry at England.